Christianity versus Islam

Novelist Brad Thor on his Facebook page had an interesting observation about the spread Christianity and the spread of Islam. He said: “In Christianity's first four centuries, it spreads peacefully and converts the Roman Empire. In Islam's first four centuries, it spreads violently and triggers the Crusades.”

Make sense to me. If you force, bully, or coerce someone to belief your way, then that person will resent you and even be angry at you.  He might not even keep your belief system. There is even a better chance he will rebel against your belief system. The Crusades is a good example of this rebellion.

On the other hand, if you honestly persuade someone to your belief system then that person will make it part of his belief system. He will more than likely keep it and be at peace with it. Yes, persuasion takes longer and requires patient than forcing someone, but if your goal is to convert someone and have that conversion take hold for a long time then persuasion is your best bet. Keep in mind before the Roman Empire was converted they were pagans. The Empire persecuted Christians until Constantine was converted.